A Neat Image question - DPChallenge Forums

02/23/2006 10:29:39 PM · #1

Take a look at the two photos below. The first has not had any Neat Image applied, the second has, using the "Remove all Noise" setting.

If you will notice, in the Neat Imaged image, there are parts of the water that get, for the lack of a better word, "chunky". Almost like you can see distinct color changes, not a smooth transition. I also get it when I have it set for the "default" setting. It may be hard to see at 640 pixel, but it's really bad when it it blown up larger.

Any ideas? Is the a Neat Image tutorial anywhere?

Thanks

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 22:35:21.

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

02/23/2006 10:32:56 PM · #2

You should be able to adjust with sliders the noise detection and the amount of noise reduction. I only have the free version though.

I usually use the auto profile, then zoom in a bit and use the preview box and play with the sliders until I get something I sort of like.

Sorry I'm not much help

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/23/2006 10:34:51 PM · #3

I use the stand alone version as well, and the thing is, it looks great in Neat Image. When I bring it back in to Photoshop, that's when it goes funky.

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

02/23/2006 10:36:42 PM · #4

Ahh, I only apply it as my final step after I've done all my editing, resizeing, USM, etc. I've never brought them into PS after I've neatimaged them. Maybe try using it as your last step and see what happens?

PhotoRyno

Canon EOS-5D

02/23/2006 10:43:28 PM · #5

Originally posted by pidge:

Why not remove any un-wanted noise with neatimage before using usm. I would think sharpening the noise would not be a good thing.

rasdub

Nikon D70

02/23/2006 10:53:45 PM · #6

I agree, you should definitely use USM after Neat Image.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/23/2006 10:57:12 PM · #7

I did that, too.

rasdub

Nikon D70

02/23/2006 11:01:18 PM · #8

I'm looking at the two shots side by side, and honestly I can't tell that much of a difference to tell you the truth. Do you remember how you had the sliders set? What smooth edges checked?

rasdub

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/23/2006 11:03:25 PM · #9

Oh yeah, and this may help

//www.neatimage.com/howtos.html

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/23/2006 11:25:56 PM · #10

Uh, I think you should apply noise-reduction before any other editing; otherwise you are manipulating the noise.

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/23/2006 11:29:17 PM · #11

Originally posted by rasdub:

I'm looking at the two shots side by side, and honestly I can't tell that much of a difference to tell you the truth. Do you remember how you had the sliders set? What smooth edges checked?

I can't either... Can you show a full size 640x640 crop of both shots?

Edit to ask: What version of NI do you use? The free one only saves in high compression and you may be experiencing JPEG artifacts...

Message edited by author 2006-02-23 23:31:08.

pidge

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

02/23/2006 11:31:47 PM · #12

Learn something new everyday. I always did it at the end so i wasn't having to transfer the pictures back and forth. I shall give it a try (noise reduction before processing/USM)

Tej

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/24/2006 12:11:59 AM · #13

But post-processing itself adds noise in many cases. So if I run neat-image before processing, I will have to run it again. And with free version (which I guess most of us use), it means double compression (before and after post-processing)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/24/2006 01:12:22 AM · #14

You can run neat image and copy the result to clipboard without having saved it at all. You can open the original in PS, save it as a psd document, and paste the NI copy as a layer, and use that as the base of your work. At least, you can do that with the paid-for standalone version, which I have in addition to the plugin.

You can do all your adjustments, flatten the final thing to single layer, save it as a highest-quality jpg, and if necessary open THAT in NI a second time for final touch up, once more copying the result and pasting it into PS without having saved it at all.

Regarding the settings, NI gives you the option of scanning the image itself for a set of custom parameters, rather than using preset or predefined parameters.

It is certainly true that sharpening should be done after noise reduction, or you'll just be sharpening the noise and making it worse.

R.